Harvey Barnes hailed as the perfect Allan Saint-Maximin replacement for Newcastle United

The Magpies moved to sign Harvey Barnes following Leicester City's relegation but Allan Saint-Maximin is set to leave the club

15:53, 28 Jul 2023

Former Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique believes Harvey Barnes is a perfect replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin. The Magpies unveiled the former Leicester City winger last week and the one-time England international was thrust into the deep end against Aston Villa in the Premier League Summer Series.

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Saint-Maximin has not been pictured in the United States despite being part of the Magpies' travelling contingent and is set to leave the club. The French winger is set for a move to Saudi Arabia having agreed terms with Al Ahli and reportedly passed a medical in London last week.

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Reports suggested the Toon had to sell their enigmatic winger in order to comply with Financial Fair Play and recruit their main targets this summer. Howe was unable to provide an update on the 26-year-old's move to Saudi Arabia, but Enrique believes Barnes will be a perfect replacement.

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Enrique told Grosvenor Sport: “It looks like Saint-Maximin might be going to Saudi Arabia as well and I think Harvey Barnes is a perfect replacement for him. He can score goals, he can assist and he can rotate well with Anthony Gordon as well.

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"I think the position that they are missing is a left-footed player on the right side, they have Miguel Almiron there who was good last season and I like him as a player but I think they could have a bit more quality in that position and make a big money signing there.

"They need another left-back as well so they still need a lot of strengthening but I believe they will do well this season.”

Newcastle are hoping to bolster their squad in the coming weeks ahead of their Premier League curtain raiser against Villa, but Howe refused to put a number on how many players he would like through the door by that point.

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